Thank you to all who have replied so quickly to my question. I appreciate the input.
(the following rant is not based exclusively on those who replied here, but on the many reefing forums and YouTube videos I have been viewing)
This hobby obviously involves nearly infinite numbers of variables that need to be factored in, balanced, and adjusted in multiple combinations in order to achieve a healthy tank. My biggest challenge seems to be finding a definitive source of advice. Everyone seems to have an opinion, and they are all across the board. But because there are so many variables, it’s difficult to know if one person’s opinion (or experience) is accurate for my particular situation. It seems that few people are basing their opinions on actual science with measured and repeatable results, or at a minimum are not explaining the full details of their experience and how they came to their conclusions.
From my research, I believe the dry rock will leach phosphates for several weeks while sitting in saltwater, but it may be possible to filter our the phosphates with either GFO or PhosGuard in a reactor with the return pump running, in addition to possibly growing cheato in the refugium to help absorb the phosphates. Additionally, a carbon reactor and frequent water changes can help with reducing the odors. I have my system set up for fully automated water changes, so this could run in the background with no interaction needed. Lastly, leaving the lights off and even covering the tank to block out ambient light will help avoid algae growth. Once the phosphate levels are under control, I could begin cycling the tank using Dr. Tim's bacteria and start monitoring ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites.
So with all that said, am I still setting myself up for a nightmare if I cure the rock in my display tank as some have predicted, or are those nightmares they experienced due to not following some of the procedures I outlined above?
You can have all the science in the world and it won't matter.* You can follow every precaution and do everything the EXACT same way as someone else that is successful and you won't be. You could also be the one that does it different, becomes successful and no one else can copy for some reason.
*To clarify my first sentence, sometimes things happen in our tanks and no test or number will ever explain it. You could send in an ICP test and the numbers come back spot on and yet, you still can't keep coral alive or get some nuisance issues under control.
That specific rock you have, no one else does. We don't have the slightest clue how much Phosphate is bound up and hidden internally. We don't know how much organic matter is in there waiting to decay and pollute the tank. No acid bath, bleaching or sun drying will ever take care of all of it. You could end up going through 5 gallons of GFO. (There are better options if you have that much phosphate by the way. We can explore those options if you want to take this on.)
I love all things BRS. They are one of the few great companies in this hobby. I'm still a novice after 12 years compared to some but we have seen some seriously bad and shady companies over the years. BRS isn't one of them. However, the dry rock they push so hard has caused A LOT of reefers problems that don't need to exist. I mean they didn't exist when I started this hobby in 2006. Everyone started with true live rock and had mature tanks in 6 or so months. Yes, we still saw hair algae and even dinos here and there. Cyano will always be present as well. But we just didn't see all these issues compared to what we see today.
One thing we always worried about (right or wrong) was a tank becoming dominated by a single strain of bacteria. Most called it old tank syndrome. Now a days we literally start tanks with one or two strains of bacteria. Some try to add diversity with Fiji Mud or live rock from an established system. It works for some and not others.
A year ago I was singing a different tune. I'd never experienced all these issues with dry rock. However, all the dry rock I used was ADDED to an already established tank with great live rock. I'd get a little hair algae but it was easily overcome. The GHA I have now will not budge. (I have a thread on that if you're interested.)
With all that said, it's up to you. It's your tank, money and time. It's your home that will stink for a little bit. Can your family and spouse live with that? Are you really ready for 100% water changes weekly, maybe bi-weekly? That gets expensive with salt. A Brute garbage can is cheap and you will use far less water and salt to do water changes. My favorite system I used to cure rock was an old beat up tank that I put a skimmer in with the rock and let it cure for 2-3 months. This accelerated the curing process and helped with smell to some degree.
For $200 you can get a 44lb box of Fiji Pukani live rock. It should cure in 3-4 weeks and will bring a diversity you will never see with dry rock. This is the route I'm going with on my 120g upgrade. I'm going back to what works. Call me old school even. I've seen this hobby become so much harder than it needs to be. We, as a hobby, are solving problems we created. I just don't see the logic behind that personally.
